Tacoma Little Theatre and Open Road Productions presents THE INCREDIBLE UNDERSEA TRIAL OF JOSEPH P. LAWNBOY

Tacoma Little Theatre and Open Road Productions brings "theatre for the family" back to the TLT stage with, THE INCREDIBLE UNDERSEA TRIAL OF JOSEPH P. LAWNBOY, a musical, underwater adventure for the whole family.

In The Incredible Undersea Trial...actually, call it "The Joe Show" for short (we do!), we follow the tribulations and trial of Joe, a well-meaning but uninformed 34 year-old high school student (he pretends to be 17). Joe's passion for fishing leads him underwater, where he catches his foot in a submerged grocery cart. As his UBA (underwater breathing apparatus) will sustain him for only 15 minutes, Joe is forced to ask for help from an unlikely source - Greta, the very opera singing fish he was trying to catch. Given a second chance, Joe finds himself on trial for "Crimes Against the Sea." Will Joe be condemned by his record of blissful ignorance and cheap courtroom tricks of the prosecution? Or will he be saved by the passionate pleas of his court-appointed defense attorney?

By the end of the show, audiences may find that they've learned an awful lot about watershed protection, nonpoint pollution, and how we can all be better stewards of our environment. Does that mean they're in for a stern talking to? Not so, says director Andy Gordon. "The show is very funny and engaging for the audience - they serve as the jury for the trial, and get to provide a lot of courtroom color, including on-cue muttering during key moments." According to Gordon, his enthusiasm for the show is long-lived. "It's one of those plays that just sticks with you. I was a performer in the original production, back in 1995. I was in almost 100 performances back then, and loved every one of them. I've looked forward to being a part of another production ever since."

Since its original premiere in '95, The Joe Show has been performed over 500 times in theatres and schools throughout the Northwest - the last local production took place in 2010 at Tacoma Little Theatre. "It's a delight to have this show back on the TLT stage" says TLT's Managing Artistic Director, Chris Serface. "I saw The Joe Show back in Olympia several times, and was thrilled when Andy approached us with this partnership."

This production is in preparation for an extended school tour, starting in the Spring of 2017. According to Gordon, the show has never been more timely. "Given the strains on fresh water supplies throughout the country in recent years, we need to spread the word that there are simple and effective changes we can all make to protect and preserve our water supply, and if we can do it in an entertaining way, all the better!" In preparation for touring, the show was cast with multiple actors in the same role, allowing for flexibility as new dates arise.

The play was written by acclaimed Northwest playwright, BRyan Willis, who serves as playwright-in-residence for Northwest Playwrights Alliance at Seattle Repertory Theater, and whose plays have appeared throughout the U.K., Israel, Japan, U.S., and Canada. The music was composed by Bruce Whitney, who as Musical Director for Harlequin Productions, has written numerous scores and songs for musicals and other plays. Lyrics were written by Scot Whitney, who serves as Artistic Director or Harlequin Productions.

The cast includes Heather Christopher and Vanessa Postil (Narrator/Judge), Mark Alford and Harrison Fry (Joe), Chelsea Pedro (Greta), Sara Geiger (Darlene), and Xander Layden (Fred). Directed by Andrew Gordon, Musical Direction by Daven Tillinghast, and Choreography by Amy Shephard.

THE INCREDIBLE UNDERSEA TRIAL OF JOSEPH P. LAWNBOY will run Friday, February 10-Sunday, February 19, 2017. Fridayshowings are at 7:30pm, Saturday showings are at 11:00am and 2:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm. There will be a special showing on Thursday, February 16th at 7:30pm. This show is recommended for all ages.

Tickets are $10.00 for everyone. Tickets may be purchased online at www.tacomalittletheatre.com, or by calling our Box Office at (253) 272-2281.

About Open Road Productions - Open Road Productions is an Olympia, Washington based Production Company, dedicated to the creation, production, and promotion of original theatrical events. We feature works by artists from the Pacific Northwest.

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